Researchers examined the hands of more than 14,500 middle-aged and older people in Australia, and followed them for an average of more than 10 years. During that time, 580 people had total knee replacements and about 500 had total hip replacements.

Having ring and index fingers that were closer in length was associated with a higher risk of requiring total knee replacement due to osteoarthritis, according to the study, which was published online March 4 in the journal Rheumatology. The association was stronger with fingers on the right hand.

Osteoarthritis, which is related to normal wear and tear of joints, is the most common type of arthritis.

The study did not find any evidence of a link between the lengths of ring and index fingers and the risk of total hip replacement.

Previous studies have suggested that there may be an association between the ratio of ring and index fingers and athletic ability, study author Dr. Yuanyuan Wang, of the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University, in Melbourne, Australia, said in a journal news release.

The researchers couldn't fully explain the new findings. It might be that participants with lower index- to ring-finger ratios performed higher-intensity physical activity, thus putting their knees at more risk. It also might be that knee arthritis is more vulnerable after injury than hip arthritis, Wang said.

The findings, however, "may also reflect hormonal influences on the growth of bone, cartilage and soft tissue, which warrants further investigation," he added.

The study only found an association between finger length and the risk of needing total knee replacement. It did not show cause-and-effect.